Tag: Barb Jungr

Broadstairs Folk Week, 7–14 August 2026, Broadstairs, Kent

Last summer, in its 60th year, Broadstairs Folk Week was named one of the best places to be in August anywhere in the world. This August it returns to Broadstairs, Kent from 7–14 August 2026, turning the seaside town around Viking Bay into a living stage with more than 400 events in over 20 venues – and around 160 of them free.

Pubs, church halls, the clifftop Pavilion and the bandstand all take part, with everything from ukulele playing and maypole dancing to late‑night roof‑raisers and quiet, unplugged sets – all located above the town’s wide, sandy beach.

Around 250 volunteers help run the week, which brings an estimated £9.1 million into the local economy each year, supporting pubs, cafés, accommodation, traders and shops across Thanet.

The 2026 programme is one of the strongest yet. Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre opens proceedings with a special pre‑week show, followed by headline appearances from Tankus, Elephant Sessions, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, 3 Daft Monkeys, Eliza Carthy and the Martin Simpson Trio. They are joined by artists including Michael McGovern – whose intimate, story‑rich songs have gone viral on social media – Miranda Sykes & Jim Causley, Suntuo Susso & the Gambian All Stars, Barry Kerr, Barb Jungr, Tim Edey, Bridget St John, Nancy Kerr, Banter, Urban Folk Quartet, Honey & the Bear, Ken Wilson, the Johnny Quinn Macs and Peter’s Field by Sean Cooney.

Families can head to Hobby Horse Club each morning to meet Clarence the Dragon and the hooden horses, with inclusive music‑making led by Inspiration Creative’s Zoe, Peter and Evie and live music from band‑in‑residence Giddy Up, while the Marsh Family and award‑winning Gentle Ceilidh with Krista & the Woodurchins keep all ages moving. New for 2026, we also have Create, Relax and Reset at Bleak House, to take a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle
during the week.

“People talk about the folk revival, about younger audiences looking for music that feels human again”, says Kai Hoffman, Director of Broadstairs Folk Week. “Here you can feel that happening in real time – teenagers discovering a song in a back room, families dancing on the bandstand at Viking Bay, late‑night crowds at the Pavilion. We’ve brought together a line‑up that nods to our 60‑year history but also looks forward, with artists from Michael McGovern to Elephant
Sessions reshaping folk, roots and acoustic music for the next generation.”

Week, Weekend and Day tickets – with and without camping – plus individual event tickets are on sale now at broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk. Last year many headline events and campsite places sold out, so early booking is advised.